While Feng Ruoruo was having a great time in the kindergarten, Feng Yifan was also extremely busy in Su Ji Restaurant.
Thanks to the publicity from the old customers yesterday, more old customers came to the small restaurant today. Especially after the publicity from the old customers yesterday, many old customers even came from far away places in the city to come here specially because they knew that the old taste of Su Ji is back.
This is also because the areas surrounding the old street have been developed and rebuilt one after another, so many residents who originally lived nearby have moved to other places in the city.
Some old customers haven't come to Su Ji for two or three years.
When they stepped into the familiar Su Ji Restaurant again and saw Su Jinrong sitting in a wheelchair, some old diners couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Old Su, I didn't expect that after only two or three years, how come you are like this?"
"Alas, time really is merciless. We are really old."
"Why didn't Lao Su inform us of such a big incident?"
"That's right. Just say the word and we old guys will definitely come."
…
Facing the enthusiasm of the old diners, Su Jinrong's stiff face blossomed into a smile, and he tried to open his mouth and say: "Thank you, thank you, I'm fine, everyone, sit, sit, down, eat..."
The old diners quickly sat down and tried to comfort Su Jinrong one by one.
"Lao Su, don't say anything, we all understand."
"Yes, Lao Su, take care of yourself and recover well."
"Luckily, Old Su, you were good at judging people and got such a good son-in-law."
"Yes, it's really the right time for my son-in-law to come back and take over."
"Old Su, just focus on recovering."
…
While the old diners were chatting with his father-in-law, Feng Yifan had already prepared noodles and rice for lunch in the kitchen, serving them the flavors they had enjoyed at Su Ji for many years.
When Feng Yifan came out with the tray, the aroma made the old diners impatient before they even saw the noodles and rice on the tray.
"Yeah, that's the smell, the rich aroma of chicken soup."
"Great, great, finally I can taste the old taste of Su Ji again."
"You can tell by the smell, this is the smell of Su Ji."
"Hahahaha, old Su Guo will have someone to take over."
…
The first thing Feng Yifan served to the old diners was noodles. There were not many noodles in each bowl, but they were very filling.
The old diner used chopsticks to gently push away the side dishes piled on top, picked up the noodles buried in the soup, and smiled when he saw the golden noodles.
"That's it, Yifu noodles."
"Slurp, oh, that's the taste, the noodles are more delicious than the soup."
"Great! This noodle is very chewy, with the aroma of wheat, chicken soup, and fried food. Good, really good."
…
Seeing that the old customers were very satisfied with the meal, Feng Yifan was also very happy. He turned his head to look at his wife who was standing at the counter, raised his chin to her and made a proud eyebrow-raising look.
Su Ruoxi was very happy to hear the praise from the old diners, and felt that her father's small restaurant could finally continue to operate again.
Then she thought of her husband who had made the greatest contribution. As soon as she looked back at her husband, she saw his proud look.
Su Ruoxi restrained her smile, pouted her lips and put on an expression that said, "Don't be too proud too soon."
The couple who had been separated for many years just made eyes at each other in the small restaurant.
Su Jinrong, who was in a wheelchair, suddenly spoke up: "Yifan, come here, Catfish, Catfish... Lion... Head."
Although his father-in-law didn't explain it very clearly, Feng Yifan quickly understood what he meant. He wanted him to make a dish of "Catfish Tofu Lion's Head", which could be considered a new dish for the old diners to taste.
In fact, Feng Yifan originally did not plan to cook at noon. According to the tradition of Su Ji Bistro, cooking is done in the evening.
However, many of the old diners who came here today now live far away and may have to go back early in the afternoon.
So, since his father-in-law had asked, Feng Yifan naturally did as he was told and gave some benefits to the old customers.
Feng Yifan smiled and nodded to his father-in-law: "Dad, don't get excited, I'll go and prepare it right away, you just stay here and chat with the uncles and aunts, leave the rest to me, I will make sure that the uncles and aunts who come to support us today will have a great time."
Then, Feng Yifan bowed and said goodbye to the old diners present, and walked towards the kitchen.
After Feng Yifan walked into the kitchen, the old diners couldn't help but look forward to the next dishes.
"I don't know, what will Lao Su, the son-in-law, do for us?"
"Haha, didn't Lao Su just say that he wanted a lion head one?"
"That's right, the lion's head is Su Ji's signature dish, you must try it now."
"Yes, yes, yes, I knew Su Ji was open, so I took the subway here this morning just for this lion head."
…
Among the dishes that old customers of Su Ji Bistro talk about with relish, the lion’s head must naturally occupy a place.
In the beginning, the ancestors of Feng Yifan's father-in-law were able to gain a foothold in this city and run such a small restaurant for several generations, turning it into a time-honored brand in the city, all thanks to this Lion Head.
Lion's head is actually a big meatball, but Su Ji has a variety of flavors.
In addition to the most traditional crab roe and clear soup, Su Ji also has several different cooking methods such as braised in oil, with soy sauce, and with fermented rice.
It can be said that Su Ji’s ancestors once made a living in the market by making hundreds of different kinds of lion heads.
Today, Feng Yifan received instructions from his father-in-law, so naturally he was going to make a unique lion head for everyone.
Catfish tofu lion head.
This is how Feng Yifan prepared breakfast for his father-in-law, wife and daughter in the morning. He used catfish paste and tofu to make lion's head, and then mixed it with golden soup for seasoning.
Of course, when serving lunch to regular customers, Feng Yifan will not make it very small like he did in the morning, but will make it the size of an authentic lion head.
It is wrapped with catfish paste and tofu layer by layer and simmered in clear chicken soup.
When seasoning the food, Feng Yifan made some changes. He not only used the golden soup from the morning, but also prepared a white soup based on the method of cooking catfish in white sauce.
Then put the lion's head into a small bowl, pour half of each of the two colored soups into it, and finally put a piece of green vegetable on it for garnish.
With the lion's head as the center, the golden and white soups are clearly separated, giving the dish an artistic beauty.
According to the number of old diners outside, Feng Yifan also prepared the corresponding number, still using trays to serve them to the old diners outside.
"Here I come..."
The moment he walked out of the kitchen, Feng Yifan shouted for the dishes to be served like a waiter in the lobby.
The old diners, including Su Jinrong and his daughter Su Ruoxi, all looked expectantly at Feng Yifan who came out with a tray.
Putting down the tray, he placed the small cups with lids in front of each diner. Feng Yifan smiled and said, "Well, this is one of my innovative dishes. Please give your comments."
Old Zhang, who came yesterday and again today because he lives nearby, became curious immediately after hearing this.
"Oh? Innovative dishes? It seems that Yifan's stay abroad these years was not in vain?"
Other old diners were also looking forward to it.
"A new dish? I'd really like to try it."
"Hahaha, I'm in for a treat today."
"Okay, today's trip was not in vain. It was worth it to take more than half an hour on the subway."
…
Everyone opened the lid of the small cup with great anticipation. As the rich aroma filled the air, they saw the white and tender lion's head and two-color soup in the small cup, which could not be concealed by a bit of green.